The organisers of the annual BikeBiz Awards have confirmed that influential retail brand Cycle Republic will present the prestigious Top Independent Bike Dealer honour at the 2017 event.

The Cycle Republic brand was revived by parent company two years ago with the opening of a new Euston store. Since that time, the company has gone from strength to strength with branches in – amongst other places – Leeds, Bristol, Manchester and Norwhich.

The company recently announced the opening of a brand new location in Southampton with the offer of six open staff positions; read our full story on the openings here. Talking about store staffing, Cycle Republic MD Peter Kimberley recently told BikeBiz “Everyone who works for us rides a bike, everyone who works for us is a passionate cyclist and that’s very important. We’re training people, but we’re also trying to attract friendly and helpful bike experts.”

The 2017 awards ceremony has been moved to February 16th so as to coincide with the cycling exhibition at the London Excel International Convention Centre.

The BikeBiz Awards will celebrate the best of the UK cycle trade and present a chance to congratulate the hard-working individuals who make the industry such an innovative environment.

Retail prizes will recognise high-achieving stores, local independent shops and giant online retailers; awards will also honour distributors and wholesalers, brands and those providing essential specialist services for the industry, from training to advocacy. Equally important is the chance that the BikeBiz Awards offer for the trade to meet, chat and make new business contacts.